Cost of Living in St. Paul, MN
Cost of Living in St. Paul, MN has an overall index of 100, in line with the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $289,137; typical monthly rent is $1,485; and median household income is $73,055.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Zillow ZORI market signal as of 2026-02. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Rent and home prices are comparatively balanced with local income. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Other Minnesota cities with a useful tradeoff.
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Frequently asked questions about St. Paul
Living in St. Paul
What is the cost of living like in St. Paul, MN?+
Living costs in St. Paul land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 100 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $289,137, and typical monthly rents are $1,485. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.
How does St. Paul fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,485, while local median household income is $73,055. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 24% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in St. Paul, MN?+
Minnesota uses a progressive model; 9.85% is top marginal-rate context. Applying the 1.11% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $289,137 gives a planning estimate near $3,209 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 7.54%.
How much does it cost to rent in St. Paul, MN?+
The typical monthly rent in St. Paul is around $1,485. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $289,137, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in St. Paul, MN?+
The typical home value in St. Paul is $289,137. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $1,403/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 53% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in St. Paul?+
Grocery prices in St. Paul are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 103, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 93). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is St. Paul, MN like to live in?+
St. Paul is a mid-sized city with a population of about 307,762. The median age of residents is 33.5, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 15.75%, near the national average of 12.4%.